Investigations on cationic dye degradation using iron-doped carbon xerogel

Abstract

Iron-doped carbon xerogels were prepared using sol-gel synthesis, with potassium-2,4-dihydroxybenzoate and formaldehyde as starting materials, followed by an ion exchange step. The obtained samples were characterized (XRD, FTIR, SED-EDX, TEM) and investigated as catalysts in heterogeneous Fenton and catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) processes. Experiments were conducted in the same conditions (0.1 g catalysts, 25 mL of 100 mg/L dye solution, 25◦C, initial solution pH, 3 h) in thermostated batch reaction tubes (shaking water bath, 50 rpm) at atmospheric pressure. A series of three cationic dyes were considered: Brilliant green (BG), crystal violet (CV), and methyl green (MG). Dyes and TOC removal efficiencies up to 99% and 92%, respectively, were obtained, in strong correlation with the iron content of the catalyst. Iron content measured in solution at the end of the reaction, indicated that its amount was less than 2 ppm for all tested catalysts.